MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers launched an initiative designed to get more personal protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves and masks, to those working on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wisconsinites can now go to https://covid19supplies.wi.gov/Donations to either donate or sell large quantities of PPE to the State of Wisconsin. The State Emergency Operations Center will then work with distribute the PPE to communities that need it the most.  

First responders and other non-medical organizations should communicate their PPE needs to their county or tribal emergency management office, which will then forward those requests to the SEOC for fulfillment. Medical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and clinics, should continue using the established process for requesting supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.

The state is currently seeking the following items: Surgical gowns (S, L, XL, and XXL); face/surgical masks (adult, pediatric); gloves (nitrile, vinyl or butyl); N-95 particulate respirators; isolation gowns; face shields; Tyvek coveralls; thermometers and foot coverings.

If organizations or businesses have quantities of fewer than 50 of these items, they are encouraged to donate them to local organizations instead of going through the website.

The SEOC and Department of Health Services continue working to supply medical facilities with supplies requested from the SNS. So far, the state has received about 104,680 N-95 respirators, 260,840 face/surgical masks, 48,168 face shields, 40,512 surgical gowns, 192 coveralls and 70,375 pairs of gloves from the SNS. The state has also requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency with supplies.